Chinese airlines cut fuel surcharges

A plane of China Southern Airlines is pictured at the Zhijiang Airport in Huaihua city, Central China's Hunan province, July 17, 2013. [Photo/IC]

BEIJING - Chinese airlines will lower fuel surcharges for domestic flights starting Wednesday due to declines in fuel prices, the airlines announced Tuesday.

Major airlines, including Air China, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines, issued statements on their official websites stating that the surcharge for domestic routes of 800 km or shorter will be cut to 40 yuan ($6.5) from the current 50 yuan.

The surcharge for routes longer than 800 km will be cut to 70 yuan from 110 yuan, according to the statements.

The country has cut the retail prices of gasoline and diesel seven times since July as international crude oil prices slid.